NEWMAN SMITH

ORCHESTRA DEPARTMENT

"If Found...  Please Return to the Orchestra Hall"
Newman Smith Orchestra

 

Greetings and welcome to all orchestra students.  The above theme for this year was created by your 2007-2008 Officer Council.  It is our hope and desire that this year will bring about many fond memories through wonderful music-making!

    By taking this class, you have become a member of the award-winning Newman Smith High School Orchestra and the Newman Smith Fine Arts Department, recognized by the National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Program as one of the top eight arts education programs in the nation!  The information found in the handbook will help you to understand your role in the orchestra program.  In this class you will have an opportunity to become a leader and gain pride of ownership through daily rehearsals, concerts and other events.  Your goal will be to gain a stronger understanding of orchestral music literature and, at the same time, to learn lifetime skills.  Our goal is to make you better musicians but, more importantly when you graduate, that you may take your rightful place as a responsible citizen of the world.

     Our students work hard, and they play hard!  That means when it is time for rehearsals and concerts, it is the responsibility of all of us, directors and students, to have and maintain the “Desire, Discipline, and Dedication” in our efforts to recreate the music of the masters.  Remember, we are not the owners of the music, we are merely the trustees of a musical heritage which is centuries old.  We only get to “borrow” the music; we never own it.  So it is vitally important that we always approach our task of music-making in a serious manner.  On the other hand, when it is time to have fun, we will have fun!  Social events, parties and trips provide us with ample opportunities to relax and enjoy the social part of our relationship with one another. Both the work and the fun have a purpose.  It is the expectation of the directors that you will learn when to know the difference and conduct yourselves accordingly.  A good year to all, and let’s start now to build those memories!

 Musically yours,

 C. Kenneth Dockray

 Director of Orchestral Activities